Genting Cruise Lines has announced that the ‘Explorer Dream’, a 75,338 gt, 1,870 pax cruise ship latest addition to will join the Dream Cruises brand in spring 2019.
Formerly the ‘SuperStar Virgo’ of sister brand Star Cruises, ‘Explorer Dream’ will undergo a $30 mill rebuild in March, 2019 that will involve the installation of new facilities, including The Palace, Dream Cruises’ signature, luxury private enclave featuring 50 suites and butler service.
Dream Cruises was claimed to be the first cruise line to offer this concept to high-end travellers in Asia. In addition, guests will be able to enjoy new food and beverage options combining the best of ‘East meets West’ and a new Crystal Life Spa.
“Dream Cruises will be extending its brand recognition to 300 mill Chinese in Shanghai and Tianjin/Beijing next summer, as well as offering cruises in Australia and New Zealand to its Asian-sourced passengers during winter 2019 – the first time Dream Cruises will be sailing outside Asia,” said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Executive Chairman, Genting Hong Kong. “’Explorer Dream’ will offer another option for our Asia based guests to expand their travel horizons with new rail/cruise and fly/cruise opportunities to see the world.”
She will strengthen the Dream Cruises’ brand in northern China with homeports in Shanghai and Tianjin during Spring/Summer 2019 with a selection of voyages of various durations from Shanghai or Tianjin to Japan, Russia, Hong Kong and the Philippines.
Taking the first step to evolve Dream Cruises into an Asia’s Global Cruise Line by sailing outside Asian waters, in Autumn/Winter of 2019, ‘Explorer Dream’ will homeport in Sydney and Auckland where she will embark on 21 seven-night weekly itineraries.
“We will be accelerating this vision to develop Dream Cruises into Asia’s Global Cruise Line by utilising one of Asia’s favourite ships, ‘SuperStar Virgo’, and converting her into a brand new sibling alongside ‘Genting Dream’ and ‘World Dream’,” added Tan Sri Lim. “With her strong heritage in the Asian cruise landscape and history in the region along with her world-renowned German engineering, ‘SuperStar Virgo’s’ transformation into ‘Explorer Dream’ will combine the best-in-class design and construction of her sisterships with acclaimed service that is Asian at heart and international in spirit.”
